Interdeck-davit.



R TJADER. INTERDEGK DAVIT.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 11, 1914.

1,094,34 Patented Apr. 21, 191 4.

a SIHEETSSHEBT 1.

I uvmvmn Richard @htzer A TTOR/VEYS R. TJADER. INTERDBGK DAVIT.

7 APPLICATION FILED MAR.11,1914. 1,094,348.

Patented Apr. 21, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2,

[ilk-bard $2203 1 W I 770M578 like.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

mcnnan wanna, or NEW YORK, n. Y.

INTERDECK-DAVIT.

Specification of Letters 'Patent. 1

Patented Apr. 21, 1914.

Application filed March 11, 1914. Serial No. 823,927.

Among the objects of the invention, more definitely stated, is toprovide a simple, easily controllable and safe means for launchinglifeboats from various decks or between decks of a ship, whereby theconfusion and loss of time incideni, to attempting to launch all thelifeboats rom the upper deck only are obvited.

Another object of the invention is to provide boat controlling devicesof such nature as to provide means for lowering a lifeboat or the likeat different distances from v the ship according to the conditions ofthe sea or position of the ship.

The foregoing and other. objects of the invention will hereinafter bemore fully described and' claimed and illustrated in the drawingsforming a part of this specification in which like characters ofreference indicate corresponding parts in all the views, and in whichFigure 1 is a vertical transverse section of a portion of a ship,indicating portions of two decks and the relation of my improvementsthereto, one lifeboat being shown in normal housed position on the-upperdeck and the other lifeboat'b'ing shown projected from the ship ready tobe lowered; Fig, 2 is a plan view, partly in section, on the lire 22 ofFi 1; Fig. 3 is a front elevation corresponding to Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is aView corresponding to Fig. 1, indicating one lifeboat being lowered intoproximity with the water; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of oneof the projecting and supporting carriage sides; Fig. 6 is a transversesection on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a. sectional viewon theline 7 7 of Fig.

5, indicating the structure of the front or outer end of the carriage;Fig. 8 is a partial plan and partial sectional view of the rear or innerendof the beam, on the line 8-8 of Fig. 5; Figs. 9, 10 and 11 areperspective views of details Of'COIlStIUCtlOIl described below; Fig. 12is a detail indicating the means for normally locking the auxiliarytrack members against the side of the ship and the releasing devicestherefor; Fig. 13 is a detail view indicating the relation of the v boatsupporting blocks to the sliding carriage' supports; Fig. 14 is a detailperspective view indicating one of the hand controlling devices; Fig. 15is a similar view of another hand controlling member; and Fig. 16 is adiagram indicating one form of electric control whereby the movement ofthe main supporting beam may be automatically-stopped when reaching theend of'its movement in either direction.

The several parts of this device may be made of any suitable materials,and the relative sizes and proportions, as well as the general designofthe mechanism, may be varied to a considerable extent without de--parting from the. spirit of the invention hereinafter more callyclaimed.

Referring more particularly to the drawin gs for a description of apreferred embodiment of this invention, 1 show at 20 a section of a shiphaving a plurality of decks, and at 21 I show a plurality of lifeboatsadapted to be associated with the several decks, and, as illustrated, Iprefer to place each lifeboat in normal position with its longer axisparallel with the axis of the ship and arranged just within the sideline of the ship, and associated with each lifeboat 21 is a suitablemechanism not only for supporting it and keeping it from vibrating or0sci'llating with relation to the ship, but whereby it may be projectedbodily and readily beyond the side of the ship and quickly lowered intothe water.

The space 22 in which each lifeboat is normally housed may be made toconform in length to the length of the boat or long enough toaccommodate a lifeboat of any usual or approved design, and the width offully set forth and specifi such space transversely of the ship issufficient to receive the lifeboat and allow ample space adjacent theinner side of the lifeboat for manipulating it whereby, under certainconditions, the passengers will be admitted into the lifeboat whilein'normal position.

The structure of the ship opposite the ends of the lifeboat is such asto include a track member 23 which may be in the nature of a channelbeam having an open side to ward the lifeboat. Said track member may bea part of the ship structure or a separate member secured thereto in anydesired manner in a rigid and permanent position.

The track member 23 also is preferably inclined downwardly and outwardlyin conformity to the usual outward inclination. or pitch of the shipdeck.

At 24 I show a projecting rigid carriage member associated with each ofthe track members 23 and of a length slightly less than that of thetrack member. The structure of the carriage member is shown best inFigs. 5 to.8, and each slide member is preferably made up of two headportions 25 and 26 connected by means of a rod or pipe 27 having itsends threaded into hubs 28 of the heads. Each slide is slida-blelongitudinally along its supporting trackway so as to project with itsouter head beyond the side of the ship, the rear or inner head 26,however,

being prevented from passing beyond the side wall of the ship. Anysuitable means may be provided to control the movements of the slides24. As shown in Fig. 2, the two slides 24 pertaining to each lifeboatare coupled or connected together by any suitable rigid bracingor'framework 29. The two sides 24 with their connecting devices 29 maybe termed for convenience a sliding carriage as distinguished from astationary construction which supports the boat.

At each end of the lifeboat is connected, by any suitable quickdetaching means, a chain 30 having its upper end connected by a pulleyblock 31 to the upper portion of which are connected a pair of hooks 32.

At 33 I show a keeper constituting a part of a device comprising an armor bar 34 slidable longitudinally of the slide 24. the keeper 33extending across the lower portion of the outer head 25'. A spring 35cooperates with an abutment 36 at one end and with a collar 37 securedto the bar 34 at the other end, and serves to normally force the bar andkeeper outwardly toward a guard pin 38. The outer and lower portion orface of the keeper 33 is rounded or beveled as shown, at 33*, andthehooks 32 are likewise beveled on their upper and inner elevated, willcause the hooks to be shoved between the guard 38 and t-he keeper 33,cansportions, as indi-" Icated at 3 2. The block 31, therefore, when ingthe keeper to be forced inwardly against the tension of the spring 35and allowing the hooks to ride or snapover and rest upon the keeper 33,whereby the weight of the boat is normally relieved from the operatingcable 40. The ends of the keeper are sup ported positively by the lowerportions of the head 25, see Fig. 6, whereby there is no great weightresting upon the bar 34.

Each carriage slide 24 is provided with a plurality of antifrictionrollers 41, two of such rollers being applied to the outer head and oneto the inner head, which cooperate with the trackways 23 and provide forcomparatively easy movement of the carriage or slide outwardly orinwardly. I also provide lateral antifriction rollers 42 whereby thebinding or frictional contact between the slide and the front and rearside walls of the space 22, which might result from the'rolling orpitching of the ship, is practically eliminated.

The above mentioned cables 40 are arranged in duplicate, one for eachend of the lifeboat. One end of each cable is anchored at 43 in acushioning device including a spring 44 in the head 25' and between theantifriction rollers 41 thereof. Said cable extends thence downwardlyand through the block 31, and thence upwardly over a pulley 45 journaledon a fixed pivot 46 in the head 25. The cable extends thence rearwardlyto and over the pulley 47 journaled on a fixed pivot 48 in the rear head26. In the normal position of the cable it is carried from the pulley 47forwardly and over a pulley 48 fixed at or near the outer end of thetrackway 23 in a fixed position, and thence the cable is carriedrearwardly over any suitable number or arrangement of direction pulleys49 to a drum 50, The drum is shown along the inner portion of the space22 and is adapted to be controlled for winding up or paying out thecables by any suitable means as, for instance, an electric motor M. Fromthe manner in which the cables 40 are arranged as just described, itwill seen that the winding of the cable upon the drums 50 will cause theslides 24 to be projected outwardly along the trackways 23, causing theboat to be carried beyond the side of the ship.

The keepers 33 may be manipulated by hand at any desired place as, forinstance, by means of a rock shaft 51 and a hand lever 52 forwithdrawing the same frombeneath the hooks 32; that is to say, if thelifeboat is desired to be lowered close to the ship, the operation. ofthe motor will be stopped when the boat has been projected far enoughfrom its deck position, and then by retracting the keepers 33 againstthe tension of their springs 35, the boat may be lowered readily intothe water.- If, however, the boat is to be delivered as far as possiblefrom the side of the ship, the motor will continue to op-.

erate, projecting the supporting slide outwardly until the stops 53connected to the 'be automatically retracted, allowing the boat todescend promptly.

When the lifeboat is to be hoisted by the mechanism herein set forth,the cables are thrown off of the fixed pulleys 48 whereby the winding ofthe cables upon the drum 50 will act directly upon the cables first tolift the boat, bringing it into normal position supported upon thekeepers 33, and'then the continued draft upon the cables will actdirectly to returnthe carriage rearwardly into the position shown in theupper part of Fig. 1.

At I show a spring operated latch projecting normally from the side ofthe inner head 26 remote from the lifeboat or toward the fixed channelmember 23. Said latch is adapted to cooperate with any one of a se riesof notches 56 formed in or through said channel member for the purposeof preventing the inward movement of the supporting slide when the boatis being hoisted. The latches 55, however, are connected to rods orwires 57 associated with "a handle 58 and levers or bell cranks 58 atthe rear or inner portions of the slide. By the operation. of the handle58 to cause the rods or wires 57 to approach each other, the latches 55are withdrawn from said sockets 56 and the draft upon the cables 40 willcause the boat and its supporting slide to be shipped withinthe space22. It will be noted that the outermost sockets 56 should be long enoughto permit a few inches rearward movement of the supporting slide inorder to. allow the keepers to assume their normal position withoutinterference from-the lugs 54. 7

At 591 show a buffer device against which the rear or inner end or head26 of either of the sides impinges when it is being retracted by themotor. Said buffer 59 serves, therefore, not only to'constitute acushion for the supporting slide, but may include an automatic cutoutswitch for stopping the motor simultaneously with the stoppage of theslide.

As shown in the diagram of Fig. 16, the sides 24, when they reachtheir-outward limit of movement, are adapted to close one or both of theswitches 59 which will energize certain relays 59 so as to cause thebreakage of the motor circuit 59" and hence stop the movement of themotor tending to force the beams farther outwardly.

The outer end or side of the space 22 1s guarded by any suitable form ormovable or swinging wings or supports 60, there being preferably two ofthese wings in connection with each davit; structure. Each of the wingsis shown supported in a substantially vertical pivot 61 and in the samevertical plane asthe adjacent guideway 23. The main-portion of the wingconstitutes an auxilia-ry trackway 62 which, when swung outwardly atright angles to the side of the ship,

constitutes an extension in alinement with said trackway, and being of asimilar character, so far as the support of.the slide is concerned, therigid carriage or slide is adapted to roll or slide outwardly and besupported upon said supports 60 in connection with the fixed maintrackways 23.- Each of the winged supports 60 is maintained in normalposition in substantially the same plane as the side of the ship bymeans of a catch 63 adapted to snap over a flange 6 L constituting aportion of the support 60. The slide frame 29 includes or carries a pairof bars 65 preferably parallel to the trackways 23 and adapted, when theslide is moved outwardly, to impinge against and unhook the catches 63,allowing the supports 60 to swing outwardly to their right angularposition or in alinement with the trackways 23. Any suitable stopdevices may be provided to prevent the auxiliary supports 62 vfromswinging too far open on their pivots 6 for the purpose just stated.

The automatic electrical power cut-outs indicated diagrammatically inFig. 16 'at 59 are operative by action of the carriage as it reaches thelimit of its outward movement. When the carriage is to be returned tonormal position within the ship, the weight of the cables and-pulleys ora slight inward draft upon the carriage exerted by any other means willbe suflicient to withdraw the carriage from contact with the contacts59' whereby the electrical power will be restored to the motor. It isobvious, however, that any suitable hand operated make and break devicesmay be employed at any desired place for controlling the action of themotor, such features being well known in the various arts.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1 1. In aninterdeck davit, the combination of a pairof parallel trackways secured to the ship transversely thereof, acarriage mounted on said trackways and slidablelongitudinallythereofbeyond the side of the ship, means to support alifeboat upon said carriage, means to control the sliding movement ofthe carriage, and laterally movable latch mechanism constitutinginterlocking connection between the carriage and the "trackw ays.

2. In an interdeck davit, the combination of a pair of main tra'ckwaysfixed to a ship perpendicular to the side of the ship, a rigidsupporting slide mounted upon said trackways and slidable outwardlythereon, means to support a lifeboat upon said slide, a pair ofauxiliary trackways mounted on vertical pivots adjacent the ends of thefixed trackways and adapted to swing on their pivots outwardly intoalinement with the fixed trackwaysand upon which the slide and supportedboat may be extended, means to hold the auxiliary trackways normally inthe plane ofvthe side of the ship, said holding means being releasableby direct contact of the slide, and means to control the slidingmovement of the slide.

3. In an interdeck davit, the combination of a pair of main trackwaysfixed to a ship substantially perpendicular to the side of the ship, arigid member supported upon said trackways and projectable beyond theside of the ship, means to support a lifeboat upon said rigid member, apair of auxiliary trackways mounted upon the side of the ship andadapted to be swung outwardly into alinement with the main trackways,means normally holding the auxiliary trackways substantially in theplane of the side ofthe ship, said holding means being releasable by theoutward movement of the rigid member, and means to control the slidingmovements of said rigid member.

4. In an interdeck davit, the combination of fixed supporting means,movable supporting means mounted on the fixed support, means to supporta lifeboat infixed position upon said movable support, the

movable support being adapted to project in a plane beyond the side of aship, auxiliary supports brought'into action by the outward slidingmovement of the movable support and adapted to support the movablesupport and boat and projected beyond the ship, means to release saidfixed boat supporting means when the movable support reaches its outwardlimit of movement, and means to control the sliding movements of saidmovable support, said last mentioned means serving also to control themovements of the boat after being released as aforesaid.

5. In an interdeck davit, the combination of a pair of main trackwaysfixed. to the ship in vertical parallel planes, a rigid carriage mountedupon and slidable longitudinally along said trackways, each side of thecarriage havinga plurality of pulleys adjacent its ends, means tosupport a lifeboat I positively upon said carriage in normal position,means to automatically release said positive holding means when thecarriage reaches a predetermined point, and means to control the slidingmovement of the carriage along the trackways.

. 6. In an interdeck davit, the combination of a pair oftrackwaysextending toward the side of the shipe, a rigid carriage supported theouter end of its trackway, a pair of cables associated with the ends ofa boat to be controlled, said cables operating over the several pulleysaforesaid, a spring cushion connection between the carriage and theouter end of each cable, and means to ma nipulate said cables wherebythe carriage and boat may be projected beyond the side of the ship orreturned to normal position within the ship, the cables being removedfrom said stationary pulleys when the boat is being returned to normalposition.

7. In an interdeck davit, the combination of fixed trackways arranged invertical parallel planes substantially perpendicular to the side of aship, a rigid carriage supported upon and slidable longitudinally alongsaid trackways beyond the side of the ship, means to support a lifeboatupon said carriage, electrical power means to control the slidingmovements of the carriage and boat, and means to automatically cut offthe power when the end of the sliding movement is reached.

8. In an interdeck davit, the combination of fixed trackways arranged invertical parallel planes substantially perpendicular to the side of aship, a carriage supported upon and slidable longitudinally along saidtrackways beyond the side of the ship, means to support a lifeboat uponsaid carriage, electrical power means to control the sliding movementsof the carriage and boat, and means associated withthe trackways andcarriage to constitute an automatic cutoff forthe power at the limit ofmovement of the carriage in either direction.

9. The herein described movable support for interdeck davits comprisinga pair of rigid side members, rigid connecting means between said sidemembers, each side member having an outer and an inner head, a barconnecting said heads, said heads being provided with antifrictionrollers sustaining the downward and lateral pressure on the support,cable pulleys journaled in said outer and inner heads, a keeper slidablealong each of the side members and parallel to the axis thereof, andmeans connected with the connecting bar of each side to control theaction of said keeper.

10. In an interdeck davit, the combination of a pair of fixed trackwayshaving a series of notches formed in their vertical walls, a carriagemovable along said trackways, a latch extending laterally from each sideof thecarriage and adapted to cooperate with any notch of the seriesalong the adjacent trackw'ay whereby an interlocking connection isprovided at predetermined points bev tween the carriage and thetrackways, means In testimony whereof I have signed my I to support alifeboat upon the carriage, name to this specification in the presenceof 10 means associated with the carriage and lifet-Wo subscribingwitnesses. boat to control the outward movement of RICHARD J R thecarriage and boat and thereturn thereof to normal position, and handoperated Witnesses: means on the carriage to control the opera- GEO. L.BEELER, tion of said interlocking devices. GEORGE H. EMsLIE

